If the buzz around the pier is not what you are after, head west. Alum Chine is one of the calmer, more family-friendly corners of Bournemouth’s coast, a soft crescent of sand backed by a wooded valley and a genuine subtropical garden. It is the sort of beach where you can spread out, let the children roam and feel a world away from the busier centre, even in high summer.
At a glance
- Alum Chine sits on the western seafront, quieter than the central beaches.
- The sand is soft and gently shelving, ideal for young families.
- Behind the beach lies a subtropical garden and a gentle chine walk.
- Parking is limited on warm days, so arrive early or take the bus.
A beach with a garden behind it
What makes Alum Chine special is what sits behind the sand. The chine itself is a wooded valley cutting down to the sea, planted with a subtropical garden that thrives in Bournemouth’s mild microclimate. Palms, exotic shrubs and winding paths make the short walk down to the beach part of the fun, and it is a lovely, shaded spot to cool off when the sand gets hot. The connection between garden and shore gives Alum Chine a character all its own.
Sand, sea and safety
The beach is classic Bournemouth: clean golden sand, gently shelving into relatively calm water that suits paddling and swimming. In the peak season the main beaches are patrolled, and the usual seaside sense applies, so keep an eye on children near the water and check the flags. The gentle gradient is a big part of why families with little ones gravitate here rather than to the livelier stretches near the pier.
Facilities and the famous playground
Alum Chine is well set up for a full day. There is a well-loved children’s play area near the seafront, along with kiosks and cafes for ice creams, coffees and lunch. Beach huts line parts of the promenade, and the flat seafront path makes it easy to walk or cycle in from neighbouring beaches. It has everything you need without the crush of the centre.
Getting there and parking
The catch, as ever in Bournemouth, is parking. There are car parks on the clifftop and streets nearby, but they fill quickly on sunny weekends. Aim to arrive before mid-morning, or take advantage of the buses that run along the seafront and clifftops. Once you are there, the promenade links you easily to Durley Chine to the east and the beaches beyond.
Where it fits on the coast
Alum Chine is one bead on a very long necklace. For the full picture of how Bournemouth’s beaches compare, from the quietest to the best equipped, see our guide to Bournemouth’s best beaches, or browse all of the beaches in the guide to plan your perfect stretch of sand.